Joseph Alfred Garraffa, 76, of Hendersonville, died Saturday, June, 21, 2008 at Pardee Hospital. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he had also lived in East Islip, NY. He was the son of the late Jerome and Mary Garraffa and was also preceded in death by a son, Vincent Garraffa and his first wife, Mary Garraffa.
Joseph served his country as a member of the US Army. He was an Aerospace Engineer for Grumman Aerospace and enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and golfing. He was of the Episcopal faith.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years Marianne Garraffa; four daughters, Gina Lane and husband Dennis of Churchville, PA, Leonora Porter and husband Robert of Farmingville, NY, Laurie Nink and husband Paul of Islip, NY and Suzanne Garraffa of W. Hartford, CT; three sons, Joseph Garraffa, Jr. and wife Ellen of Mastic Beach, NY, John Hovis and wife Barbara of Carlsbad, CA, and Gregg Hovis and wife Christine of Augusta, GA; nine grandchildren, Roxanne Lane, Anthony Lane, Stephen Lane, Marshall Nink, Taylor Nink, Jesslan Hovis, Jay Hovis, Cody Hovis and Chase Hovis; one sister, Mary Groteke and husband Walter of Palm Harbor, FL; and three brothers Leonard Garraffa and wife Cindy of South Kortright, NY, Jerome Garraffa and wife Cathy of Smithtown, NY and Ronald Garraffa and wife Debra of Odessa, FL.
Services will be held Monday, June 23, 2008 at 2pm at the Kirby Memorial Chapel at Shuler Funeral Home. John Hovis will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, ATTN: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, PO Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780; the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St, New York, NY 10016; or United Cerebral Palsy, 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036.
Memorial
12:00 AM
Kirby Memorial Chapel - Directions
125 Orrs Camp Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Tribute Wall